overdrive

noun

over·​drive ˈō-vər-ˌdrīv 

1

: an automotive transmission gear that transmits to the drive shaft a speed greater than engine speed

2

: a state of heightened activity

going into rhetorical overdrive

Examples of overdrive in a Sentence

He put the car into overdrive.

His acting career is in overdrive.

The reporters went into overdrive to finish their stories on time.

Recent Examples on the Web

Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett were climbing into the Indian seamers in South London to set up a series win, but at 92-0 and 129-1, the freedom went into overdrive, skidded off the road and let the pursuers off the hook. —Tim Ellis, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2025

But over the past 10 days in Asia, the dial has spun into overdrive. —Amy Lawrence, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2025

Day One of the Charlotte 49ers’ fall training camp is in the books, and coach Tim Albin’s group is shifting into overdrive with their season-opening clash with Appalachian State at Bank of America Stadium just one month away. —Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 29 July 2025

Rarity based on numbers is a key element to consider, but provenance is what propels a price into overdrive. —Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 28 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1926, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for overdrive

• alive
• archive
• arrive
• beehive
• connive
• contrive
• deprive
• derive
• revive
• survive
• dive
• drive

Kids Definition

overdrive

noun

over·​drive ˈō-vər-ˌdrīv 

: a transmission gear in an automobile that allows the drive shaft to operate at a speed greater than that of the engine crankshaft